Prachanda asks inmates to end fast-unto-death

May 16, 2006
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Chairman of the CPN (Maoist), Prachanda alias Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has urged Maoist cadres—currently in detention in various jails in the country—to call off their fast-unto-death protests.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the Maoist supremo stated that his party was in constant discussion with the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) government and have been assured of the release of all prisoners at the earliest possible.

He further said that the government was positive to release all the Maoist cadres after fulfilling some formal procedures.

The Maoist chairman said his party would not sit for talks unless all arrested cadres are released and whereabouts of disappeared people made public. “Our party will be forced to announce strong protest programmes if our demands are not met,” Prachanda said in the statement.

Over 200 Maoist inmates have been taking part into fast- unto- death protests in over 70 prisons across the country demanding immediate release of all Maoist detainees, among others.

Maoist sources said nearly 1,500 Maoist detainees are still behind bars all over the country.

Meanwhile, replying to a query by Nepalnews this afternoon, Home Minister Krishna Sitaula said the government had already started process to release the Maoist detainees. He said the government was in touch with the Maoist leadership in this regard and that a solution would be worked out soon. He did not provide details.